Fishing float

ABSTRACT

A fishing float, adapted to receive a fishing line for passage therethrough and including means whereby the fish bait may be selectively lowered to a greater water depth or raised to a lesser water depth by movements of the fishing line, determined by proper manipulations of a fishing rod by a fisherman. The device comprises a main body portion having an axial bore therethrough for passage of the line, a slide tower fixed to and extending upwardly from the body portion, and a lock means slidably engaged with the tower and slidable between a position which crimps and prevents movement of the line through the axial bore and another position which allows free movement of the line through the bore.

Apr. 8, 1975 United States Patent [191 Futch, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A fishing float, adapted to receive a fishing line forFISHING FLOAT [76] Inventor: Charles D. Futch, Jr., 710 Hill St.,

Opa-Locka, Fla. 30050 Nov. 9, I973 Appl. No.: 414,311

passage therethrough and including means whereby [22] Filed:

therethrough for passage of the line, a slide tower fixed to andextending upwardly from the body porheld of tion. and a lock meansslidably engaged with the tower and slidable between a position whichcrimps and pre- I0 90 43 9 k 4] am 4 I 3 4 3 St Um NH 55 ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 43/4438 43/44. X ill/44.88

2,153,869 Joncs 3,6fi7,l49 6/l972 Daiglemum 3,760,527 9/]973 Hamrcn 17Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Primary- Examiner-Louis G. Mancene AssistantEmminer-Daniel J. Leach FISHING FLOAT STATE OF THE PRIOR ART Variouspatents have been issued which disclose floats which are manuallyadjustable along a fishing line whereby the fisherman may preset a floatto provide a predetermined length of line extending from the float to abaited hook. In this manner the bait is disposed at a desired waterdepth. However, if the fisherman desires to change to a different waterdepth, he must retrieve the entire length of fishing line and manuallyreset the float to a different position on the line to accomplish thechange.

Patent disclosures of this type of float fall in two general catagories,l floats which are manually adjustable along fishing lines which providepredetermined lengths of free line between the floats and baits and, 2)floats which are manually adjustable along fishing lines, providingpredetermined lengths of line between the floats and baits which arewound around various types of reels or spools until the floats settle inthe water whereupon said lengths of line are supposed to unwind. In bothtypes of floats, however, it is necessary to retrieve the entire lengthsof fishing line and to manually readjust the floats to achieve differentfishing depths.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention pertains to afishing float which includes means to permit a fisherman to readjust hisfishing depth at will by proper manipulations of the fishing line bymeans of the fishing rod.

A weighted downward extension from float means counterbalances anormally upstanding slide tower which extends a fairly substantialdistance above the g water surface. The fishing line is guided generallydownwardly along the slide tower and extends through a central bore inthe weighted downward extension, emerging from the bottom thereof andextending to a point of attachment to a baited hook when in use.

The length of line between the baited hook and the float can be variedat will by the fisherman. For this purpose, a slide lock is slidablyengaged along the normally upstanding slide tower. In its normalposition the slide lock is positioned at the bottom of the tower andlocks the fishing line relative to the top portion of the downwardextension. A sharp jerk, imparted to the fishing line by a propermanipulation of the fishing rod, causes the float device to momentarilylie substantially flat along the surface of the water. Simultaneously,the sharp jerk causes the slide lock to slide upwardly to, or adjacentto the top of the tower, freeing the line and permitting it, uponrelaxation of pressure thereon, to slide through the lower extensionunder the influence of the weight of the baited hook to increase thelength of line between the float and bait resulting in a greater fishingdepth. Means is provided on the tower to arrest the downward movement ofthe slide lock until the float device reassumes a generally verticaldisposition in the water.

When it is desirable to lessen the fishing depth, the fishing rod ismanipulated to cause the float device to lie substantially flat alongthe surface of the water to free the slide lock from engagement with thefishing line. However, instead of instantaneously releasing the pressureon the fishing line, the fishing rod would be manipulated to maintainthe pressure on the line to withdraw it through the lower extension toshorten the length of line between the float and the baited hook.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofthe fishing float of the present invention engaged with a fishing line;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the fishing float;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the fishing float of the instantinvention in a generally vertical, floating disposition on the surfaceof the water;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the disposition of thefishing float after a sharp jerk has been imparted to the fishing line;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrating the first phaseof the movement of the fishing float after relaxation of pressure on thefishing line;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the presentinvention, parts being broken away to illustrate the details thereof;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the modified form of the inventionwith parts broken away; and

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With reference to the drawings inwhich like reference characters designate like or corresponding elementsthroughout the various views and with particular reference to FIGS. 1and 2, the fishing float of the present invention is designatedgenerally at 10.

The fishing float I0 is comprised generally of a float means 12,connecting means l4 to the float means l2, a downward extension 16including a weight 18 fixed at 20 to the lower end thereof, a slidetower 22 extending upwardly from the float means 12 and a slide lock 24,engaged along the slide tower 22.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide tower 22 is comprisedof a pair of upstanding, parallel slide rods 26-28 fixed in a boss 30which may be formed integral with the top portion of the connectingmeans 14. The top ends of the slide rods 26-28 are interconnected by adisc 32 and an outwardly extending guide ring 34 for the fishing line Fis connected to the disc 32 by a neck 36.

The fishing line F extends from a reel on a fishing rod (not shown)through the guide ring 34, downwardly through a coaxial bore 37 throughthe boss 30, connecting means 14, downward extension 16 and weight 18 toa point of attachment to a fishing hook H which, in use, is providedwith a bait B.

The slide lock 24, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, is preferablycomprised of an annular drum shaped member 40, provided with a pair ofparallel, through bores 42-44 for free sliding engagement with the sliderods 26-28. In practice, the annular member 40 is preferably formed ofan outer metal ring 46 with an internal filler 48 which, along with theslide rods 26-28, is preferably formed of a self lubricating syntheticmaterial such as nylon, for example.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a relatively short nipple 50 extends upwardlyfrom the boss 30 and includes a coaxial bore extension 52 from the bore37. An enlarged bore 54 is provided upwardly through the bottom of theslide lock 24. Said bore 54 stops short of passing through the slidelock 24 and is sized to nest over the nipple 50 with sufficientclearance to permit passage of the fishing line F between the internalwall thereof and the external wall of the nipple 50.

When the slide lock 24 is in the locked position, illustrated in FIG. 2,the fishing line F extends downwardly and outwardly of the slide lock 24as at 56, around the bottom thereof as at 58, upwardly between the innerwall of bore 54 and the outer wall of nipple 50, radially across the topof nipple 50 at 60 and then downwardly through the coaxial bores 52 and37 as at 62 to the point of attachment to the hook H.

A slide lock arresting means is provided on one of the slide rods,either 26 or 28, in the form of a pendulum arm 64, pivotally attachedthereto as at 66. The slide rod 26 or 28 is cut out as at 68 toaccommodate the arm 64 which is cross sectionally configurated toconform with the radius of the rod 28 as seen in FIG. 2 for passagethrough the bore 44. A long lower portion 70 and a short upper portion72 are provided by the pendulum arm 64 for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed relative to the description of the operation thereof.

With reference to FIG. 3, the general, normal disposition of the fishingfloat in the water W is illustrated. After the fisherman has made a castand permitted the fishing line to assume a normal relaxed condition, thefishing float will assume the generally vertical disposition of FIG. 3with the slide lock 24 locked relative to the fishing line F as in FIG.2.

When the fisherman imparts a sharp jerk on the fishing line F by meansof the fishing rod, the float device I0 will be snapped over to theposition, illustrated in FIG. 4. To provide additional drag orresistance on the fishing line, an upwardly facing, saucer shaped member76 may be slidably disposed on the fishing line F. With the float deviceI0 disposed in the generally horizontal position of FIG. 4. the pendulumarm 64 will be swung about the pivot 66 to maintain a generally verticalattitude because of the weight of the long lower portion 70. However,the snap or quick jerk imparted to the fishing line will initially causethe slide lock 24 to be impelled to a position at or adjacent to the topof the slide tower 22 because of the normal disposition of the fishingline as described relative to FIG. 2.

As seen in FIG. 2, the lower end 70 of the pendulum arm 64 extends intoand is captivated in the bore 44 when the float device 10 is in avertical disposition. Consequently, the pendulum arm 64 cannot assumethe vertical position as seen in FIG. 4 until the slide lock 24 haspassed thereabove.

When the fishing line F is relaxed, the slide lock 24 will immediatelybegin its descent of the slide tower 22. However, the short upperportion 72 of the pendulum arm 64 will interrupt the descent of theslide block 24 and hold it until the float device reassumes a generallyvertical disposition whereupon said slide block 24 will return to itsposition in FIGS. 2 and 3, and lock the fishing line F relative to thefloat device. During this period of delayed descent, because of therelaxed line. the weight of the bait B on the hook H will cause saidbait to descend to a greater water depth.

When it is desirable to increase the fishing depth, the rod is snappedand instantly manipulated to relax the line; however, to reduce thefishing depth, the fishing line is jerked to release the slide lock 24and further pull on the fishing line will withdraw same to reduce thefishing depth.

It can therefore be seen that a fisherman can selectively increase ordecrease the depth of his bait at will, without retrieving his line orany portion thereof.

With reference to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a modified form of the invention isillustrated which includes a second tower comprised of a pair ofgenerally upright members 102 and 104 connecting between the float meansl2'-l2' and the guide ring 34'. With this structure, no forces areimposed on the slide tower 22' when the fishing line F is jerked bymeans of the fishing rod in the manner previously described.

The slide tower 22' and slide lock 24' cooperate with the nipple 50' toprovide the same line releasing and locking functions, describedrelative to FIGS. I through 5. However, the boss 30' includes abifurcated lower end 106 providing opposed downwardly extend ing legs108-110. The single fixed weight 18 of FIGS. I through 5 is replaced bya pair of pendulum weights I12 and 114, provided with upstandingextensions I16 and 118, pivoted intermediate their lengths as at I20 and122 to the respective legs I08I 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper ends of said extensions 116 andI18 include horizontal, angular portions 124 and I26 providingtransverse, parallel terminal arms I28 and disposed on opposite sides ofthe fishing line F' relative to the respective weights 112 and 114depending therefrom. Therefore, when the float device is disposed in agenerally vertical disposition as best illustrated in FIG. 7, thependulum weights 112 and 114 depend by gravity forces, causing thetransverse, parallel arms I28 and 130 to be urged toward each other tobind or pinch the fishing line F therebetween.

A pair of stop lugs I32 and 134 extend outwardly from the respectivelegs 108-110, normally in contact with the respective, opposed outerfaces of the upstanding extensions. Therefore, when the float 10' istilted in the direction indicated by the arrow 136, FIG. 7, the weight112, and extension II6 will, by gravity forces, remain in a generalvertical position. The opposed lug I34 in combination with the pivot 122will retain the weight I14 and extension 116 in alignment with theangular disposition of the float 10'. The transverse arm I28 from theextension I16 will remain virtu ally stationary while the transverse arm130 moves away from the line F, freeing same from the pinching action ofthe parallel, transverse arms I28 and I30.

The stop lug 132 moves in the direction of tilt as indicated by thearrow 138, disengaging the weight extension 116, permitting same toretain its vertical disposition. At the same time. the opposed stop lugI34 remains engaged against the weight extension I18, indicated by thearrow 140, causing it, the weight I14 and the transverse arm 130 toassume the inclined attitude of the float 10'. This same action occursin reverse if the float 10' is inclined in the opposite direction. Inboth cases, the line F" is freed, permitting the weight of the bait toeither sink further into the water or to be raised to a lesser depthdepending upon the proper manipulation of the fishing rod as previouslydescribed.

The additional binding forces applied to the line F by the action of theweights I12 and II4 provide an initial restraining force on the line Fwhen said line is jerked. This restraining force causes the initialjerking movement, applied to the line, to lay the float 10' over in thewater as seen in FIG. 4 and to simultaneously impel the slide lock 24'to the top of the tower 22'. In this manner, the necessary drag isapplied to the line F' and the saucer shaped member 76 is not needed.

What is claimed is: a

l. A fishing device for engagement with a fishing line comprising:

A. a main body portion including float means and comprising:

1. an upper end portion and a lower end portion.

2. connecting means to said float means,

3. said lower portion including weight means,

4. an axial bore extending through said body to accommodate passagetherethrough of the fishing line from a fishing rod;

B. a slide tower fixed to and extending upwardly from said body;

C. fishing line guide means fixed relative to the upper end of saidslide tower to guide the fishing line from a fishing rod downwardlythrough said axial bore to a point of attachment to a fishing baitbeyond said weight;

D. lock means (24 and 24') slidablyengaged on said tower and slidablebetween a normal gravity induced position and a second elevatedposition,

said lock means in said normal position blocking access of said fishingline from said guide to said axial bore and crimping said line betweensaid guide means and said axial bore from a straight line path into a. alength from said guide means toward said bore which diverges from astraight line between the guide and bore and b. an axial lengthextending through said bore and c. an intermediate length connectingsaid straight line length and said axial length, and

d. said lock means normally clamping said intermediate length betweenthe body and lock means when said float device is in a verticalattitude,

e. and said lock means being slidable toward said second elevatedposition and out of blocking and crimping relation of said bore andfishing line when the float device is jerked over at an acute angleapproaching a generally horizontal attitude relative to the surface ofthe water, so that the line may be extended beneath the float deviceunder the influence of gravity acting upon the line until the floatdevice resumes a generally vertical attitude and said lock means isslidably moved by gravity forces to said normal position.

2. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 wherein said slidetower is comprised of a pair of parallel, spaced apart slide rods.

3. The fishing float device as defined in claim 2 including a crossmember, interconnecting the top ends of said slide rods.

4. The fishing float device as defined in claim 3 wherein said lineguide comprises an outwardly extending guide ring, fixed to said crossmember.

5. The fishing float device as defined in claim 2 wherein said lockmeans comprises an annular drum shaped member provided with a pair ofparallel, through bores for sliding engagement with the respective sliderods.

6. The fishing float device as defined in claim 5 including a relativelyshort, reduced diameter nipple extending upwardly from said upper endportion and including a through bore, and an enlarged central boreextending upwardly through the bottom of said sliding lock means, saidcentral bore being positioned and sized to receive said nipple with thefishing line passing upwardly between the inner surface of said centralbore and the outer surface of said nipple until said fishing linereaches the top of said nipple, then radially across and down throughthe bore of said nipple, thereby locking the fishing line relative tothe float device when said lock means is held in a first, lower positionby gravity forces when the float device is in a generally uprightposition, the fishing line serving to impel said lock means upwardlyalong said slide rods to a second. upper, unlocked position, relative tothe fishing line when a jerking movement is applied to the line, saidlock means returning to said first position by gravity when the fishingline is relaxed.

7. The fishing float device as defined in claim 6 including a slide lockarresting means fixed relative to said slide tower to momentarily arrestthe downward sliding movement of said lock means from said secondposition to said first position.

8. The fishing float device as defined in claim 7 wherein said arrestingmeans comprises a pendulum arm, inset in one of said slide rods, andpivotally attached thereto in a manner so as to provide an clongatedlower portion, below said pivot, having a lower tip and engaged in saidslide lock in said first, lower po sition and a short upper portionabove said pivot.

9. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 wherein saidconnecting means comprises a pair of opposed studs extending radiallyoutwardly from opposite sides of said upper end portion.

10. The fishing float device as defined in claim 9 wherein said floatmeans comprises a pair of floats formed from a buoyant material such asa foam plastic, fixed respectively to said pair of studs.

11. The fishing float device as defined in claim I including a saucershaped member, slidably disposed on the fishing line between the floatand the bait.

[2. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 wherein said coaxialbore extends through said weight means.

13. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 including a secondtower extending upwardly from said float means, said fishing line guidemeans being fixed to the upper end thereof a predetermined distanceforwardly of said slide tower.

14. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 wherein said weightmeans comprises a pair of spaced apart weights pivotally connected torespective downwardly extending legs provided by a bifurcation at thelower end of said downwardly extending portion, said fishing lineextending between said weights.

15. The fishing float device as defined in claim 14 including meanscarried by said weights to pinch said fishing line therebetween when thefishing float is in a generally upright disposition and to release saidline when the float is tilted by a jerking movement applied to the line.

16. The fishing float device as defined in claim 15 including a pair ofstop lugs fixed relative to said legs above said pivots, said lugs beingnormally in contact spective top ends of said weight extensions. each ofsaid arms being disposed on the opposite side of the fishing linerelative to the weight from which it extends.

1. A fishing device for engagement with a fishing line comprising: A. a main body portion including float means and comprising:
 1. an upper end portion and a lower end portion,
 2. connecting means to said float means,
 3. said lower portion including weight means,
 4. an axial bore extending through said body to accommodate passage therethrough of the fishing line from a fishing rod; B. a slide tower fixed to and extending upwardly from said body; C. fishing line guide means fixed relative to the upper end of said slide tower to guide the fishing line from a fishing rod downwardly through said axial bore to a point of attachment to a fishing bait beyond said weight; D. lock means (24 and 24'') slidably engaged on said tower and slidable between a normal gravity induced position and a second elevated position, said lock means in said normal position blocking access of said fishing line from said guide to said axial bore and crimping said line between said guide means and said axial bore from a straight line path into a. a length from said guide means toward said bore which diverges from a straight line between the guide and bore and b. an axial length extending through said bore and c. an intermediate length connecting said straight line length and said axial length, and d. said lock means normally clamping said intermediate length between the body and lock means when said float device is in a vertical attitude, e. and said lock means being slidable toward said second elevated position and out of blocking and crimping relation of said bore and fishing line when the float device is jerked over at an acute angle approaching a generally horizontal attitude relative to the surface of the water, so that the line may be extended beneath the float device under the influence of gravity acting upon the line until the float device resumes a generally vertical attitude and said lock means is slidably moved by gravity forces to said normal position.
 2. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 wherein said slide tower is comprised of a pair of parallel, spaced apart slide rods.
 3. The fishing float device as defined in claim 2 including a cross member, interconnecting the top ends of said slide rods.
 4. The fishing float device as defined in claim 3 wherein said line guide comprises an outwardly extending guide ring, fixed to said cross member.
 5. The fishing float device as defined in claim 2 wherein said lock means comprises an annular drum shaped member provided with a pair of parallel, through bores for sliding engagement with the respective slide rods.
 6. The fishing float device as defined in claim 5 including a relatively short, reduced diameter nipple extending upwardly from said upper end portion and including a through bore, and an enlarged central bore extending upwardly through the bottom of said sliding lock means, said central bore being positioned and sized to receive said nipple with the fishing line passing upwardly between the inner surface of said central bore and the outer surface of said nipple until said fishing line reaches the top of said nipple, then radially across and down through the bore of said nipple, thereby locking the fishing line relative to the float device when said lock means is held in a first, lower position by gravity forces when the float device is in a generally upright position, the fishing line serving to impel said lock means upwardly along said slide rods to a second, upper, unlocked position, relative to the fishing line when a jerking movement is applied to the line, said lock means returning to said first position by gravity when the fishing line is relaxed.
 7. The fishing float device as defined in claim 6 including a slide lock arresting means fixed relative to said slide tower to momentarily arrest the downward sliding movement of said lock means from said second position to said first position.
 8. The fishing float device as defined in claim 7 wherein said arresting means comprises a pendulum arm, inset in one of said slide rods, and pivotally attached thereto in a manner so as to provide an elongated lower portion, below said pivot, having a lower tip and engaged in said slide lock in said first, lower position and a short upper portion above said pivot.
 9. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a pair of opposed studs extending radially outwardly from opposite sides of said upper end portion.
 10. The fishing float device as defined in claim 9 wherein said float means comprises a pair of floats formed from a buoyant material such as a foam plastic, fixed respectively to said pair of studs.
 11. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 including a saucer shaped member, slidably disposed on the fishing line between the float and the bait.
 12. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 wherein said coaxial bore extends through said weight means.
 13. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 including a second tower extending upwardly from said float means, said fishing line guide means being fixed to the upper end thereof a predetermined distance forwardly of said slide tower.
 14. The fishing float device as defined in claim 1 wherein said weight means comprises a pair of spaced apart weights pivotally connected to respective downwardly extending legs provided by a bifurcation at the lower end of said downwardly extending portion, said fishing line extending between said weights.
 15. The fishing float device as defined in claim 14 including means carried by said weights to pinch said fishing line therebetween when the fishing float is in a generally upright disposition and to release said line when the float is tilted by a jerking movement applied to the line.
 16. The fishing float device as defined in claim 15 including a pair of stop lugs fixed relative to said legs above said pivots, said lugs being normally in contact with the opposed outer faces of weight extensions when said float is in an upright disposition.
 17. The fishing float device as defined in claim 16 wherein said means carried by said weights comprises a pair of transverse, parallel terminal arms from the respective top ends of said weight extensions, each of said arms being disposed on the opposite side of the fishing line relative to the weight from which it extends. 